May 2022: The Anniversary Issue

central DISCOVER

Comparing technology from the 90s to now

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VOLUME 25, ISSUE 6

MOVE

Athletic achievements of the past and today

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ENTERTAIN Reviewing fashion trends over the years

FOCUS

I’m not sure I understand the point of this image. I don’t see any soccer on any of those pages anywhere.

25 years of FHC’s history and legacy in focus

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FRANCIS HOWELL CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

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WWW.FHCTODAY.COM

A Break Down of Breaking News Revisiting the school’s noteworthy history

Letter From the Editors

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OPEN FOR BUSINESS: A group of administrators stand smiling at the sign in the front of the building on it’s opening day. Photo courtesy of Dr. Daniel T. Brown, PhD.

By Faith Beckmann Newspaper Editor

School Opening

The story of Francis Howell Central High School begins on Aug. 21, 1997 - its opening day. Francis Howell Central was the last of the 3 high schools to be built within the district’s history. Francis Howell High School, which was once known as the Howell Institute, has been operating since 1881. Francis Howell North was build post-Baby Boom in 1986. As student population continued on a steady incline, the district had to build a new school to house and educate the growing district population.

When the school first opened, the student body of 953 consisted solely of freshman and sophomore students (Classes of 2000 and 2001). Additionally, most of the building we know today was not yet completed. Don Muench served as the school’s first principal and Terry Kasper was the activities director. A few of the teachers serving at FHC today were also amongst the first teachers to walk through the newly built halls of Howell Central.

Normandy Board Meeting

In 2012 the Normandy School District lost their accreditation as a result of low test scores. On June 11, the Missouri Supreme Court upheld a state law requiring accredited school districts in St. Louis County to admit students who were residing in unaccredited districts. It was announced that students from Normandy, which had student bodies of mostly Black students, would attend schools within the Francis Howell School District. On Thursday, July 11, 2013, there was a district board meeting that took place in the FHC gym where

nearly 3,000 parents attended the meeting to voice their concerns about the new students. cited by several news sources, was stated by Beth Cirami, an FHSD parent.

“Is there going to be metal detectors? I’m no expert, but we aren’t talking about the Normandy School District losing accreditation because of their buildings, their structures, or their teachers. We are talking about violent behavior that is [going to be] coming in with my first grader,” Cirami said.

The story later gathered national attention with the New York Times reporting on the situation with an article published on July 31, 2013. Three years later, it was brought up on national level again when television host and political commentator John Oliver cited the board meeting on season 3, episode 28 of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” which aired on Oct. 30, 2016. The episode was discussing modern segregation in schools and showed clips of several parents speaking at the board meeting.

“Listen to how these parents in St. Louis reacted to the idea of students from a Black community added to their schools… That is not subtle. She is just a ‘homies’ and a ‘baggy pants’ away from full dog-whistle bingo. Those parents are all extreme examples,” Oliver stated. “But even if you give everyone the benefit of the doubt and you assume all complaints about bus schedules or class sizes are actually just about buses or class sizes, you don’t have to be intentionally racist to do things with racist effect.”

Dept. of Education’s Office of Civil Rights Investigation

AN ANXIOUS ASSEMBLY: A parent stands in front of the FHSD Board of Education at their July 2013 meeting. Photo by Chris McDaniel, St. Louis Public Radio

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FHSD made headlines on Jan. 26, 2016 when it was reported that the The Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education was investigating a case of racial bullying that had been taking place in the district for the last decade. Since elementary school, the then 15-year-old student had been facing students calling him racial slurs on account of his race (Black) and administrators had reportedly done nothing to stop it. At the time of the investigation, the student attended FHC and was still reporting bullying. In light of the investigation, district

ear after year, students walk through the blue doors that mark the entrance of FHC. And year after year, students exit through those doors for the very last time. In 25 years, those doors have seen the likes of professional athletes, doctors, engineers, grocery store workers and so many other unique individuals, each bringing their own significance to the ongoing story of the building. Just as well, they’ve also seen a lot of changes through the years.

In this issue, we will explore several aspects that have shaped FHC into the school it is today.

We will take a peek into historically significant events that have taken place within these very walls as well as changes in technology and fashion over time. Additionally, along with celebrating staff members who have been at FHC since its opening or have returned after graduating, we have also given retiring staff a chance to say goodbye to their colleagues and students.

As a surprise, we have also reached out to alumni to help us send them off. As a staff, we aim to celebrate the people, events, achievements and changes over the last 25 years that have made FHC into the school we know today.

An Anxious Assembly: Dr. Sonny Arnel watches as a car is extricated from the main entrance of the building after it had been driven into the school. Photo by Lanie Sanders

officials released a statement saying they were cooperating with the Office of Civil Rights and that they do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment and investigate all claims of it in the district. To protect the student’s privacy, this was all that could be released to the public.

Car Crashes into the School

At 5:30 a.m on April 24, 2019, parents and students woke up to a phone call informing them that school was canceled for the day. Later on in the morning, it was revealed that at 3:45 a.m. a Ford Flex crashed into the building’s front doors. As the doors were equipped with a buzzer-based security system for visitors, school had been canceled for security reasons to protect students and staff. The person responsible for the crash survived and was able to walk away from the scene and was found by the Cottleville Police Department nearby. For the remainder of the school year and half of the following year, the area where the doors were was blocked off by a plywood barrier decorated by the art students.

School Shutdown due to COVID March 13, 2020 is a day which marked the end of an era for both FHC and the world. For the last month, everyone had been hearing of a new disease being referred to as Covid-19 on the news and how it had been spreading rapidly across the globe.

Prior to the school’s shutdown, FHC had started to take more precautions as the situation became more serious by telling teachers to not shake hands with parents during parent-teacher conferences and encouraging teachers and students to take all of the items from their lockers or anything they might need home for spring break “just in case.” Only a few days later, on March 15, it was announced on social media and through phone calls to parents and guardians that spring break would be extended for an extra week. Then, 10

page by Tea Perez and Faith Beckmann

Rooms to go searching for Story by Rachel Vrazel Web Editor As freshmen, students often struggle to find their way around the school. Navigating such a big building isn’t always easy, but after those first couple weeks of freshman year, the building isn’t so scary anymore.

Students walk the halls with ease, strolling to and from class with confidence. However, despite the familiarity students may achieve with the layout of our building, there are many places that remain unseen.

Costume Loft

Every student or staff member at FHC is surely familiar with the auditorium. However, what lies backstage remains a mystery to a large majority of students, and even some teachers and staff.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing features of the backstage is the costume loft. Accessible only by a daunting, nearly 20-foot ladder which scales the wall, it is home to the Spotlight Player’s collection of dresses, suits, shoes, accessories used to dress the actors.

Elaina Rainwater, Rainwater junior and Costumes Crew Head for the Spotlight Player’s most recent production, “Emma! A Pop Musical,” spent a good amount of time in the costumes loft leading her crew this semester.

“There are some fairy lights up there… and a little mirror and a place to try on jewelry,” Rainwater said.

“You see [the loft] and it’s like a little time capsule of specifically Costumes memories, and it makes me really happy to be a part of [Costumes Crew].”

Schott’s Back Rooms

Home now to broadcasting equipment, photography backdrops, and the snack locker or “snocker” of the Publications Editors, the backroom of 139 has an intriguing history. At the birth of our school, it functioned as a space for photographers to develop film from the events they’d shot photos of.

“When I began here in 2005, the Digital Photojournalism class shot their photos on film and then developed them in the darkroom,” Mr. Matthew Schott , FHC Publications Advisor, said. “Some students loved the experience, but each semester there was always a handful of students who’d be stuck in the complete pitch black because they couldn’t load their film into a developing tank from the roll of film. They’d

RACKS ON RACKS: Past costumes from previous productions can be found in the Costume Loft in the auditorium, located 20 feet above the main floor. Photo by Rebecca Hornberger

always come out looking pretty dazed once they got it after like 30 minutes or so in the complete dark.”

Thrive Room

Room 1 has served many purposes over the years. For a long time, it was simply a meeting room. But when you walk past it now, you’ll almost always find the door open to reveal a dimly lit room filled with bean bags, fidgets and calming decor. Completely transformed, the space is now dedicated to giving students experiencing high levels of anxiety and stress a safe place to relax and cope - to help them thrive.

Mrs. Kalinda Dixon, Dixon behavior support specialist, is responsible for the Thrive Room and assisting the students who use it and has witnessed firsthand the positive impact it’s had on the school community.

“It’s an oasis that you can come in to retreat, to reset,

reregulate and reenergize,” Mrs. Dixon said. “I’m really proud of the program I designed... [the school] gave me the launching pad... and I feel like it’s been extremely helpful and beneficial [for students].”

Book Room

Everybody knows that if you need a book, the Learning Commons is the place to go. However, very few people know about the Book Room - a storage room with bookshelves on every wall filled with stacks of books.

Unavailable to students, the room is one of the English Department’s best kept secrets. It holds all of the class copies for books assigned in classes for all four grades - from “To Kill A Mockingbird” to “Ender’s Game,” the tiny, cramped room holds thousands of plays and novels read by students over the years.

Language classes evolve These old lamp-like computers were used in digital art rooms and were some of the only Apple products used in the district.

In the year 2000, only 28.3% of people owned mobile phones. As of 2022, 91.54% of people own a mobile phone. Sources: bankmycell and the American Association for Public Opinion Research.

Story by Lauren Rohde Staff reporter With 2022 being FHC’s 25th year being open, there has been a slow, but steady evolution regarding the courses offered in the building. Certain departments have increased the classes they can offer, while some have cut them down. The department that has undergone the most changes may be the world languages department.

Headed by Dr. Jennifer Miller, Miller the branch has seen numerous classes come and go throughout the years.

Believe it or not, the world language department used to be bustling with different teachers and a wider variety of classes available.

“We used to have so many teachers teaching the classes because we had so many kids enrolled, that not every teacher even had their own classroom. When I was on my conference hour, somebody else would come in here and teach,” Miller said. “Oh, it was crazy busy.”

The language courses FHC used to offer were far more expansive than the current courses the school provides. In past years, the school walls encompassed French, German, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.

While the school only offered Mandarin for two years, it was a great move to offer the class for those who were interested. As for why the building doesn’t offer it anymore, it comes down to not having a curriculum comprehensive enough to teach the language, but also not having a teacher who can teach it.

“With Mandarin, you have to start at the beginning, not just with the alphabet, but with the characters and learning how to do the calligraphy [of Chinese characters],” Miller said. “So we struggled to have a curriculum that we could say was equivalent to the other

languages.”

Despite the challenges of getting a stable curriculum going, there was another difficult task at hand: getting students to take the course.

“We really struggled because the district is so strict that you have to have so many kids [to actually have the class]. So after the first year, we didn’t have enough kids for a Mandarin one, [only a Mandarin two]. So it kind of fell,” Miller said. “It was really sad, because the kids that were into it, were really into it. But I think a lot of kids thought it was going to be anime [because] they just saw an asian language.”

However, Mandarin has not been the only language course offered that has undergone drastic changes.

There has been a reduction in the number of German and French courses, with few students to take them.

For the 2022-2023 school year, FHC will only be offering German II, French I, French II and French III. It appears though that there is one language that continues to thrive in the building: Spanish. The courses offered within the language start at Spanish I and continue all the way to Spanish V, where the seal of biliteracy can be earned, and is a very high honor to achieve.

While the options of classes one can take have been restricted, taking a course now compared to 25 years ago would be very different.

“Back then, we were teaching, you know, the grammar, vocabulary and not really stressing communication,” Miller said. “[Now] we have evolved so that we’re stressing communication, because we see that you’re going to leave here and you’re going to go be a nurse or a police officer, and you’ll have people to deal with [who don’t speak English].”

Notable Mindsets Drive Success of Grads Newer vending machines have credit card readers that makes them more accessible. Then and now, students love to stop by a vending machine and grab a study snack.

Tech through the years

Story by Emily Sirtak Staff Reporter Throughout the years, FHC has experienced a boom in new advancements, whether it be computers, smart boards or even vending machines. Every five years, the school board does reviews of the technology to determine if certain classes need new technology to keep them up to date. Technology has birthed new opportunities for communication, learning and even daily life.

Starting from when the school opened in the 2000s to present day, technology has experienced major shifts.

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By Emily Sirtak Staff-Reporter It’s early in the morning, the sun is barely peeking through the clouds. You rush to get ready for the day, getting dressed and ready for the day to come. You walk down the halls, smiling at the coaches that pass by. You sit focused through the monotonous lessons and strive for perfection through every test, putting all your energy into the work.

By the time school is over, everyone is exhausted and ready to end their day, but instead of going home, you go straight to the court to empty out the rest of your very limited energy.

Through the sounds of leather smacking the ground, baskets swooshing and shoes squeaking, you can barely comprehend that you have to do the same thing every day for the entire semester. This is the life alum Shakara Jones lived in; a life of constant movement and work, which was worth all the awards, basketball scholarships and pro games she has got to experience as an effect.

In order to cultivate success, students must stay motivated and create goals throughout their time in highschool. Without an attainable goal, there’s nothing driving you to success, Jones believes. Jones was a famed

basketball player during her time at FHC, earning a full ride scholarship to Mizzou and playing professionally overseas.

Jones believes that you can achieve what you put your mind to as long as you have a strong goal and determination.

“I would make short-term and long-term goals and then map them out. I always made sure to give my all, whether that was in the classroom or on the basketball court,” Jones said. “Even when things didn’t go as planned, I knew at the end of the day, I could be proud of myself because I put my all into every opportunity presented to me.”

Although determination is vital to success, there also needs to be a balance of social life and present time happiness. High school is the time to learn lessons, have fun and make mistakes in the last moments of adolescence. While the approach to goals and achievements is admirable, there also needs to be an incorporation of social balance. Alum Tammy Rokita, the co-owner of Rokita Dance Center, found the perfect balance of social fun and goal achieving through her love of dance. As an active member of the Sensations Dance Team, National Honors Society and maintaining a 4.0, Rokita was still able to have fun throughout high school.

“Being in dance was fun in itself and I always made sure to enjoy time with my friends,” Rokita said. “My advice is to enjoy your time in high school because it goes by so fast and you will never get that time back.”

page by Matthew Schott

From the start McCoy, Dennigmann share memories from when the building initially opened Story by Téa Perez Editor-in-Chief The walls of FHC have seen 25 years worth of students’ faces come and go. They’ve seen the way teenagers have evolved over time, changing ever so slightly with them, while still housing a consistency of purpose: To educate.

In fact, some of the couriers of said education have stuck around long enough to be able to describe what’d be said if these walls could talk.

Science teacher Ryan McCoy has been a part of Central’s staff since before the building had even finished construction.

“I was actually hired before [FHC was] even built all the way, so over the summer I would show up to the campus and back then the first floor was just a dirt stretch, there were walls and stuff… but no one had poured the concrete floor yet,” Mr. McCoy said. “So that was kind of unique walking through a building that didn’t exist yet.”

Mr. McCoy came into his position as an eager young teacher, excited to jump into his new role at this new school.

“When we finally got [the school] built, I remember I was helping out the Learning Commons and I helped them build these AV carts,” Mr. McCoy said. “I was just so eager, I mean, I was a young teacher and I was just excited. So I was Six current just kind of walking around and they faculty were working on something and I’m a members have taught here the handy guy, so I jumped in and helped entire time the out and they were very appreciative of building has that.” been open: When the school first opened Dr. Sonny Arnel it housed only freshmen and Don Barnes sophomores. Francis Howell High and Brian Cissell Francis Howell North were already Ryan McCoy established with student bodies that Stacey Denigmann reflected the spirit of being a Viking Michelle Breuer and a Knight. It was difficult those first few years for Central to truly establish a sense of community as the ‘Home of the Spartans.’

“When we first started we had a mentality of ‘We are an academic institution first’ and so the focus was on academics, that was paramount and the sports, the athletics [not so much]. We started out as a freshman [and] sophomore group. You know we were not strong in the sports, we didn’t have a whole lot of school spirit,” Mr. McCoy said. “It took us a long, long time to get an identity. For many years it seemed like we struggled to get started at school spirit, but ever since Scott Harris has taken over and [Dr. Sonny Arnel] has been the principal our climate and culture has skyrocketed.”

Nowadays, the school spirit and atmosphere housed within the walls of FHC is unmatched. Mr. McCoy accredits the leadership and character of Dr. Sonny Arnel and Mr. Scott Harris to the distinct change.

“Now we’ve got history, we’ve got 25 years of history, and we can reflect back on everything and we have lots

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of things to be proud about in those 25 years,” Mr. McCoy said. “So that kind of helps to propagate the bad school spirit right now and you know, those two leaders have done so much to help everything out.”

Social studies teacher Stacey Dennigmann was also one of the first teachers to be hired to work at the newly built Francis Howell Central. The decision to transfer from her post at Francis Howell High was a difficult one for her considering FHH is her alma mater. “[The district] asked people from Howell [High] if they’d like to [work at Central] and at first, I didn’t want to go because I graduated from Howell and I wanted to stay at Howell and be at Howell,” Mrs. Dennigmann said. “[But] there really weren’t a lot of volunteers… and if no one volunteers, the lower people on the totem pole, the [newest hires] would have to go [to Central]. I found out I wouldn’t have to go the first year [the school was open], but I’d have to go the second year. So then I was like why don’t I just go because I’ll have to go anyway, and just go when [it first opens].”

Mrs. Dennigmann would later find out that she made the right decision to transfer the first year of the school’s opening. In an environment where everything and everyone is new, there is no predetermined hierarchy or status quo. It was a period of adjustment and learning, both about the school and each other and it created strong bonds between these newly hired teachers.

“Everyone knew everyone, and we had so much fun. We would stay for a couple of hours after school, just interacting and hanging out,” Mrs. Dennigmann said.

In fact, the teachers would spend time together after school getting - Ryan McCoy to know each other or just playing games in the empty school hallways. “[In the] long hallway that was between Beckmann and Oswald’s room that runs all the way down through activities, we would [throw] bouncy balls and we’d stand against the lockers and we’d have spotters in the cafeteria, and past the cafeteria and we would [see] who could get the ball to go down the hallway the longest without it bouncing of the wall or going into the cafeteria… It was an intense competition.”

The stories many teachers have about why Central is important to them is unique and special to each of them.

Mrs. Dennigmann’s story is especially heartfelt in that

“I’ve always been very proud of [the fact that I’ve been here since the beginning], I’ve been saying that for years.”

Back in the building

Alums who became teachers reflects on time as students Story by Sydney Tran Design Editor Nicholas Beckmann used to wake up, hop in his truck and go to school. He used to sit on the deep navy chairs, doing chemistry work on the attached wooden desk.

He walked the hallways lined with tall blue lockers. As a student.

22 years later, Mr. Beckmann wakes up and heads to work. He settles into his comfortable cushioned chair, entering grades on his laptop on his large desk. He walks down the hallways lined with tall blue lockers. As a teacher.

There are seven teachers like Mr, Beckmann who can relate to what it’s like to go to our school. They have sat in the same desks, walked in the same hallways, and even had the same teachers. They have gotten to see FHC from the perspective of a student growing up in high school and a teacher nurturing students.

Mr. Beckmann was part of the first graduating class, the class of 2000. He got to experience growing up along with the school as it started enrolling more grades and hiring young enthusiastic teachers. For Mr. Beckmann, this experience was anything but ordinary.

“We were always the oldest class, and you grew up together with a school,” Beckmann said. “We had a young staff that was really energetic and had a lot of great relationships with kids. It was really fun, it wasn’t a normal high school experience at all.”

As the school grew, the students and faculty were also trying to grow a culture to make the school their own. They were behind traditions students still do today, like the “Say What” chant.

“We were making it our own, we didn’t have to follow any traditions, we started our own,” Mr. Beckmann said. “The ‘Howell Central Say What’ chant, it was a kid named Trenton that was just loud.

It was just one day at a sporting event he started the ‘Howell Central Say What’” But, it was little things like the chant that made FHC so unique in comparison to other schools. No matter how dumb it seemed to others, it was ours.

“It’s hilarious and it’s our own thing and nobody else

page by Sydney Tran

the school was the place where she fell for her husband, literally.

“It was before the school first opened and I had just met Dr. Arnel who was a teacher in the Social Studies Department, and I was sitting on a flatbed cart… he was pushing me down the hallway and we went to make the cart turn to go down to the small gym and I fell off the cart and I actually fell on [my future husband’s] feet… I probably said like “hi” and I don’t know something dorky, and then I got up like ‘gotta go’ and I got back on the cart and Dr. Arnel pushed me away,” Mrs. Dennigmann said.

Growing up with a school for 25 years creates ties that can’t be unwoven. “[When you’ve been at a school since it has first opened] it becomes kind of like your baby and when I leave it’s going to be sad,” Mrs. Dennigmann said. “How do you leave your baby behind? How do you say goodbye to something that’s been every aspect of your life for so long?”

It creates a sense of pride that can’t be broken.

“I’ve always been very proud of [the fact that I’ve been here since the beginning], I’ve been saying that for years.

I think there is something to be said for having just one place that you can call home for so long… I’ve built some tremendous roots, almost everybody I’ve talked to I’ve known for decades,” Mr. McCoy said.

does it, but we’ve been doing it for 25 years,” Mr. Beckmann said. “Every school does the same chants, so when you have just a random one that’s funny and simple, that has been around for a long time, those are the kinds of things you fall back into.”

According to Mr. Beckmann, the school has changed as society has as well. In addition, although the student body has grown, the family-like atmosphere persists and is similar to how it was then.

“It has changed based on society and it will always change,” Mr. Beckmann said. “It’s a huge school now but it has a small school feel to it sometimes.”

Roxanne Fetsch, who has also graduated from FHC, agrees and pointed out the change in dynamics between students and teachers. Where now, students are much more open with teachers, and teachers build a relationship with students beyond the subject matter.

“I know so much about my students whereas in no way did I ever tell my teachers any of that, so it’s like the dynamics in the classroom has changed,” Mrs. Fetsch said. “I feel like now it’s about teaching the whole student not ‘I’m going to teach you the math and be done for the day.’”

Although our school has grown a lot, according to Fetsch, some things don’t change. Things like the energy and the work ethic of students and teachers.

“It hasn’t changed crazy because Dr. Arnel was my principal when I was in high school,” Fetsch said. “He’s always had this vibe of ‘You show up, you work hard, you do what you need to do’ for students and teachers.”

Both teachers have seen the changes, the growth, and can relate to the experience of attending Francis Howell Central. Both believe students should take advantage of the experience. To enjoy the ride. To find your people. To soak it in.

“Enjoy the ride, these are the fun times in your life,”

Quick Quotes from Yocs Taylor Yocum riffs about his favorite things about being a Spartan 1. What year did you graduate?

2010 2. What is your favorite FHC memory?

Sporting events for sure. I went to everything. There was nothing like being one of the student leaders and cheering on Spartan Nation!

3. What was your favorite school lunch?

Oh man, chicken wraps on Friday smacked so hard. You kids have no idea!

4. What do you miss from high school?

Being a student athlete. It was so cool to have my friends come support me during my soccer games.

I loved wearing my FHC gear around and I still love to do it today as a coach!

5. What tradition is your favorite?

School dances. Lord knows Yocs was hitting the gritty back in the day.

6. What was your favorite spirit wear outfit?

We always did a superhero day where the soccer guys would craft some capes on to our jerseys. It was a lot of fun.

7. Why do you love FHC? It has been my home for so many years. The teachers have always cared for me as both a student, an athlete, and now a teacher.

Mr. Beckmann said. “This school is unique and you don’t get a similar experience at different schools.”

“You never know how these people are going to intertwine in your life. When I got sick, so many of my high school friends supported me and came to FHC,” Mrs. Fetsch said. “You are going to meet people in this place and realize how truly impactful this place is.”

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A Touching Tribute

Alumni send off departing teachers with kind words

By Faith Beckmann Newspaper Editor

Dr. Michelle Burkemper Dr. Burkemper was my College 101 teacher during my senior year. I remember that being such an exciting yet terrifying class. It meant that high school was really coming to an end and that I had to figure out how to navigate college. Luckily for me, I had her wonderful guidance and support during that time. Dr. Burkemper wasn’t just an educator but also a listening ear. She always said that she wasn’t worried about me or how I would do in college (even if I was). The confidence she had in me as a student gave me all the confidence in the world. I am now a 7th grade special education teacher in a neighboring school district.

The love, support, and guidance she gave me made me want to be here and show that for students myself. You rock, Dr. Burkemper! Thank you for everything! Enjoy retirement!

- Paige (Rosenmiller) Dalton, Class of 2012

Mrs. Andrea Head WHICH WITCH: Alongside senior AP Lit students AJ Vargas and Avery Olson, Mrs. Patricia Shockley acts the part of a witch in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”. Mrs. Shockley’s favorite memories come from teaching this play. Photo by Riley Wania

Singing Their

Swan Song

By Hannah Bernard Multimedia Editor

Mrs. Shockley Mrs. Patricia Shockley has been teaching at FHC for 24 years. She has taught English across all grade levels during her tenure with her favorite course to teach being AP Literature and Composition. Considerable changes in workload and work life balance encouraged Mrs. Shockley to retire.

“When I first started, the workload was comfortable, and there were less demands outside of the classroom.

It was fairly easy to balance work and life,” Mrs. Shockley said. “Now, the balance is disproportionate (mainly because of state and central office requirements) and is one of the main reasons I decided to retire.”

Despite these difficulties, Mrs. Shockley has treasured her time at FHC and the atmosphere the school has.

“FHC has been blessed with excellent leadership that instills a positive atmosphere and rockstar teachers that have inspired me to continually improve in the profession,” Mrs. Shockley said.

Her favorite memories are set in her classroom, and most notably, revolve around performances of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” in her AP Literature class.

“Most recently [last year], two very special students turned my classroom into a stage with their performances of ‘Macbeth,’” Mrs. Shockley said. “Also, very strange things have happened over the years when reading this cursed play.”

Overall, positive and moving experiences with students will be what Mrs. Shockley misses most about FHC. “The memories run deep, though, from students comforting me the day I found out my father was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer to the daily hours of entertainment by such a creative and dynamic student body,” Mrs. Shockley said. “I have been fully blessed and will miss working with these kids the most.”

Mrs. Shockley’s plans for retired life are diverse.

“I am traveling all summer this year with two trips to Europe and a family week in Destin. After that, I am going to explore some online work, and I’m also going to try to work with animals in some way,” Mrs. Shockley said. “However, since my husband has Alzheimer’s disease and has approached the advanced stage, it all really depends on the demands of taking care of him.”

Of the many things to remember about Mrs. Shockley, she hopes students remember her passion for literature and hopes that she was able to pass that love on to her students. Her parting words for her students are this: “Take some time and explore different paths; travel and experience the world outside of Cottleville. 18 is too young to make life-long decisions. If one path doesn’t work out; if the passion is not there; change the course.”

Mr. Kozlowski In his 24year tenure at FHC, Mr. John Kozlowski has taught various levels of physics and chemistry and his favorite course to teach is AP Chemistry.

Mr. Kozlowski thoroughly enjoys teaching chemistry, but has decided to retire for the benefit of his family.

“I’ve got parents that are getting a little older and I want to do more things with my parents,” Mr. Kozlowski said.

“I’m having to

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KEEPING UP WITH KOZ: At the whiteboard, Mr. John Kozlowski draws digarams of atomic bonds. Mr. Kozlowski spends most of his day at the board teaching his students. Photo by Aniya Sparrow

feature

Retirees share their parting words

help them a little more with doctor visits.”

Mr. Kozlowski believes that there is something unique about FHC: an atmosphere that makes it stand out from other schools in the area.

“The school opened 25 years ago with a lot of hoopla and a lot of flair and everybody always got the feeling that FHC was a unique special place and I would say that has continued all the way through from the first principal all the way to Dr. Arnel,” Mr. Kozlowski said.

His favorite memory took place during one of his AP Chemistry labs a few years ago.

“I had the windows open. And [a yellow jacket] flew into the room and [a student] was going over to the hood [where chemicals are stored in the lab] and she had just gotten some hydrochloric acid when a [yellow jacket] landed on her cheek and crawled into her glasses…and in the calmest voice she just turns to her lab partner and asks ‘Could you do me a favor and just sort of pull my glasses away from my face so this bee could escape?’...I thought that was the coolest thing a high school kid could have ever done,” Mr. Kozlowski said.

Looking back, Mr. Kozlowski wishes he would have spent more time participating in extracurricular activities and events.

“I do regret that I missed out a lot on a lot of the school wide activities, parades and football games,” Mr. Kozlowski said. “It’s just so hard to come back up to school.”

His plans for retired-life include traveling and spending time with loved ones. He hopes that students will remember him for making class challenging but enjoyable. Mr. Kozlowski offers FHC one final piece of Koz wisdom: “A lot of my students are getting pulled in all different directions for extraneous purposes like to please parents or to please society…instead of just focusing in on the one thing that they want to do. Do what you want to do, and don’t be chasing too many different goals.”

Dr. Burkemper Over the course of her 23 years at FHC, Dr. Michelle Burkemper has been a dedicated teacher in the Alternative Learning department.

She has taught a wide variety of classes across all subjects and at a variety of levels. Her daughter’s pregnancy paired with other major life changes moved Dr. Burkemper to retire.

“We are taking in a foreign exchange HAPPY HUGS: Dr. Michelle student from France Burkemper gives senior Miranand a foreign exchange da Helfrich a hug. The pair has student from Sweden,” formed a close bond over the Dr. Burkemper years. Photo by Keaton Frye said. “And on top of that, I’m going to babysit for my grandbabies.”

Dr. Burkemper’s grandchildren are not the only people that call her Nana. The bonds she has forged with her students extend beyond the walls of FHC. “One [previous student] is now a parent…and I’m in her phone as ‘School Mom,’” Dr. Burkemper said. “I have other students that have had children; [the children] call me Nana.”

Her most memorable classroom experience took place during a conversation with a student she had been working with since freshman year.

“I had a young man as a freshman who came in and kids don’t typically like me as a freshman because I’m pretty strict. I run a pretty tight ship. But by senior year as kids mature and grow, they come to realize that it’s not me, it’s their behavior, and he said to me senior year…’You’re really not a bitch. We were just being bad,’” Dr. Burkemper said.

Of the many things to miss about FHC, what Dr. Burkemper will miss most is the camaraderie shared between all members of Spartan Nation. She hopes students will remember her for her open door policy and for being someone students can come talk to anytime.

As a small freshman, I was always very nervous and shy so I found the library as my safe haven after a long stressful day navigating high school. I was in there so frequently that someone suggested that I check out Epsilon Beta as a way to socialize with others who had a common love of the library. This is where I really met Mrs.Head. I loved everything Epsilon Beta stood for and was an active member for all 4 years, Vice President my senior year and graduated with my triple bar academic letter. None of that could have been possible without Mrs. Head. We grew a very tight bond when I would spend hours upon hours in the library as a TA for 2 years. I was always her right-hand man for any task that had to get done and she was always the first person I would go to with any problems I had. She always gave the best advice (and hugs) for every situation. She even awarded me with a Silver Shield my senior year. I have always loved her kindness for anyone and everyone & added the best in everyone. She has always been like a mom to me and I will always stay friends with her. She made my high school experience so much better and I truly believe that FHC will be missing out without her!! Her kindness, humor, knowledge, love of books, warm smiles, and amazing advice will forever be something FHC now lacks.

- Aubree Williams, Class of 2019

Mr. Eric Heumann Mr. Heumann, I had you as my geometry teacher my sophomore year & although geometry was never my strong suit, you pushed me and kept faith in me passing your class… which I did. Barely. Thank you for the laughs in class and warnings during the passing periods, we all knew your voice very distinctively.

Good luck and have fun with wherever life takes you during retirement! Congratulations!

- Paige Grubbs, Class of 2014

Mr. John Kozlowski Mr. Kozlowski was my Honors Chemistry and Chemistry 2 teacher during the 2001-2003 school years. Hi Mr. Koz! My Chem 2 class terrorized him, and probably made him regret choosing to teach…I’m honestly impressed he is just now retiring! ;) I went on to complete my degree from Rolla in Chemical Engineering and worked for a couple of years as an engineer, but I always knew I loved teaching. I went back to school and got my masters in teaching from Drury University and began teaching in 2010. The first year I taught Chemistry after at least 7-8yrs since I last saw him, I reached out to Mr. Koz (and Mr. Dauve for HA&P!) for resources to help me get started teaching, and he shared so willingly, even though he probably didn’t even remember me:) His class was where my love for Chemistry started, and it is still going strong today as I continue to teach AP Chem currently. I will never forget you, and wish you the VERY best in your retirement!! Go Spartans!

-Krystle (Mincoff) Sperry, Class of 2004 I heard Mr. Koz is retiring so I came to fill out this form to let him know that he is still one of the absolute best teachers I’ve ever had. Now, it may be 10 years since I’ve taken Chemistry, but I still haven’t forgotten how smart it made me feel when I could figure out a chemical based solely on a mol and a number?? That’s incredible. I wish I still remembered how to do it! I want him to know that his class really made me love science, and I want him to know I’ve been an incredibly successful nurse for the last six years! If I could go back in time though, I’d be a pharmacist. Except I hated the part of the course on organic chemistry. Either way, I made it Mr. Koz, and every day I use critical thinking I learned from you and your course! Thanks for everything -Kristen (Kochmann) Millfelt, Class of 2012 A true icon of FHC. I had the pleasure of having him two years, and the knowledge I took from his class prepared me for my path in medical school. Little does he know, but his notes, which helped simplify and make chemistry, a difficult subject manageable, also helped many other students in my college class. He made chemistry fun, whether it be making small jokes as avoiding “party pink” while doing titrations or tie-dying shirts and making ice cream. He is inspiring with his path to deciding to be a high school chemistry teacher (which all of us alumni and current students are so grateful for) after pursuing multiple paths from engineering to pre-med. Thank you, Mr. Koz, for all that you do and have done for your students. I am truly grateful and would not be on this path if it were not for you and your class.

-Erica Swanson, Class of 2014

Mrs. Patti Shockley Mrs. Shockley didn’t just follow a curriculum -- she had a yearlong dialogue with her students about what they enjoyed and what they needed. She challenged them (in an enjoyable way), she was understanding with them, and she dealt out earnest praise when they earned it. My year, she also dealt with a big, loud, annoying moldkilling machine in her classroom. Great times!

Enjoy retirement, Mrs. Shockley! Be happy knowing you made a lot of lives better. I loved my time in your class and appreciate all you taught me. Cheers to your next adventures — maybe you can teach that cute corgi how to analyze “The Crucible.”

-Evan Pagano, Class of 2013 Mrs. Shockley — we loved your class! The thing is, I can’t remember now what all we read, except I know we read Poe because I remember the Annabelle Lee doll...but what I do remember is that you explained things well, you were funny, and you put up with my incessant talking.

Thanks for all of that. Have a happy, restful retirement!

-Brittany (Hayes) Copeland, Class of 2010

Scan the QR code to read more tributes on fhctoday.com

page by Hannah Bernard

Lauding a Legend

Dr. Arnel is revered by alumni

By Faith Beckmann Newspaper Editor

Dr.Arnel, you have inspired me to be the happiest version of myself, even on the toughest of days. There was never a day that went by that I saw you without a smile on your face. You were always so welcoming with a friendly good morning or wave to whomever you would pass. I could hear you from down the hall and just know that something was coming my way as well. You, Sir, made people feel seen and heard. I’m sure I could speak for many when I say we appreciate you and all of your kindness. Congratulations on your retirement, I hope you enjoy all the great things that come your way!

-Paige Grubbs, Class of 2014 Dr. Arnel is definitely a big personality I remember from my high school years. He always had a smile and brought positive energy everywhere he went. His name proved true when he brought sunshine and smiles to your class. Now as a teacher, I can appreciate his positive role as an administrator even more. I hope you enjoy your retirement Dr. Arnel, it is well deserved!

-Amber Roth, Class of 2012 My first varsity football game was the last game of sophomore year in 2001, the night Don Muench Memorial Stadium was dedicated to FHC’s founding principal. Coach Arnel led the Spartans to a blowout victory over Howell North to end his only season as head coach. I was so grateful to be part of that special night in FHC football history.

Happy retirement Dr. Arnel!

-Andy Carroll, Class of 2004 There’s not a single memory I have of FHC without Dr. Arnel in it. He was always there to greet us off the bus, he always had a smile. I think his smile is what every FHC alum will remember him for. When I was in high school, I just thought “hey, this guy really loves his job so much.

He’s happy all the time.” But then the real world hit after I graduated and I think about him often. Whatever he would be going through outside the school walls, we never knew. He came in every single day with the best attitude and wanted each of us to reach our dreams. He made sure we always felt safe at school, and it was impossible not to smile back at him. Every school needs a principle like Dr. Arnel and I’m very thankful to have been able to have had him as mine. I wish you the best of luck in retirement and thank you for all the years you’ve given us!

-Jordan Thompson, Class of 2014 Dr. Sonny Arnel truly lived up to his name. He was always joyful and smiling everywhere he went. He made the school environment much lighter and happier. I’m so glad he was my principal.

-Liliana Duvenick, Class of 2021

MIZZOU FIT: Dr. Arnel stands confidently dressed in Mizzou gear. This outfit is a well known favorite among the students at FHC. Photo by Madi Hermeyer

Sonny’s Style Dr. Arnel turns FHC hallways into a runway

By Elisa Carter Staff-Reporter

There are many adjectives that describe Dr. Arnel but one of the most notable ones is fashionable. From his Mizzou outfit to his Christmas suit Dr. Arnels iconic themed outfits will be remembered for the rest of FHC history. Throughout his time at FHC Dr. Arnel has dressed in many different outfits depending on the occasion but no matter what he will find a way to show up and show out with whatever the theme is.

Every outfit of his is different and unique in its own way but they all have one thing in common. The most important piece of an outfit, confidence. His confidence is not an easy thing to miss, Senior at FHC and daughter of Dr. Arnel, Alexis Arnel, believes that not a ton of people can rock the outfits he does without having his confidence.

“I don’t think many people could wear [the outfits he wears] and be okay with everybody looking at them and pointing it out,” Alexis said. “I could not wear Tiger pants.”

Although Dr. Arnel does have obvious confidence when wearing his outfits, he still seeks advice on his fashion choices.

“On Mizzou Day he will ask me, ‘Is this too tacky?’ [when] the pants are on, the vest is on, he’s got the hat with yellow hair coming out of it,” Alexis said. “I’m like, ‘No, that looks good’.”

The ‘Mizzou Fit’. If you ask almost any FHC student if they know of this infamous look, they will most likely respond ‘Yes’. This outfit is a well known favorite among the students here at FHC and has been worn not only in school but outside of school as well. It has gotten him recognized by former FHC students.

“He will go to Mizzou games with the [Tiger] pants on.

Everybody compliments them and has to say hi to him about it,” Alexis said. “It’s students too, because he has been working at Central for so long. So he’s like famous, he’ll go somewhere with the pants on and everyone will say, ‘Dr. Arnel!’”

page by Hannah Bernard

GAME TIME: Dr. Arnel is seen coaching the FHC footbal team, a regular practice for him, during his teaching years. Photo courtesy of FHC Publications.

Through the Years Story by Lorelai Finoch Staff Reporter After being with Francis Howell Central Highschool since its opening 25 years ago, Dr. Sonny Arnel recently announced he would be retiring at the end of the 2021-22 school year. In light of his departure, it’s the perfect time to reflect on Arnel’s time at FHC. With how much time Arnel has put into the school and its students,whether that be during his first three years at the school as a teacher, or the past 22 in administration, the positive impact he’s had on the Francis Howell Central community at its highest and lowest points is immeasurable, and shows more than anything that this is where he was meant to be.

“I always knew I wanted to help people, and I wanted to be involved with trying to make people’s lives better…at first I wanted to be a police officer, and then, somewhere in college, I began to realize that I really enjoyed athletics and academics, and…I really liked the whole learning experience,” Dr. Arnel said.

After working at Francis Howell North High School from 1994-97, the first three years of his career in education, Arnel joined the Francis Howell Central staff at its opening in the fall of 1997, excited and willing to help form the school and THE EARLY AGES: its culture with the first students to Dr. Sonny Arnel attend the newly built institution. smiles for his first “For three years, I was at North and FHC staff-photo it was so cool to be able to do what I found in the Odalways wanted to do. And then I think yssey’s “Inaucoming over here for when the school gural Edition” had just started…it was magical, being of 1998. Photo part of starting a school,” Dr. Arnel said. courtesy of FHC “it was neat because it was really those Publications. first five years or so…nothing else was like it.

“My very first year, I taught, I think it was just the excitement and joy of just getting a job…For three years, I was at North, and it was so cool to be able to do what I always wanted to do,” Dr. Arnel said. “And then I think coming over [to Central] for when the school started… it was magical being part of starting a school. With just freshmen sophomores, …it was neat because it was really those first five years or so, [Central] was just like nothing else…we were the only ones experiencing it…And it was neat to see [the school culture] develop. So those kinds of things were neat to be part of that. I think after that,

getting into administration, it was just learning how to support teachers, and work with parents and make what we do better for the kids.”

While Arnel started as a social studies teacher at north and the beginning stages of his career at Central, he found himself involved in much more than just his typical classroom activities.

“Don Muench was the principal at the opening of this school and hired me over here as a social studies teacher and…I was coaching and teaching and doing some different committees and he said: ‘I really enjoy the way you approach things. I think you have potential to be an administrator. I think you should get into it. I’d like to mentor you and support you in that process,’ and I always thought very much of him, so it…inspired me to try it. And I really have loved it,” Dr. Arnel said.

Making this school like nothing else is what Arnel excels at, according to junior Brianna Bissett, a student representative in the Principal’s Council.

“I like that [Arnel] gives us a say, and it isn’t just him deciding everything himself. He listens to us, and I really appreciate that,” Bissett said. “It’s probably what I enjoy most, being able to share my opinions on what’s happening with our school.”

Mrs. Kelly DuBois has been working with Arnel as his secretary for five years now, relishing in watching the way the school works and how he interacts with students and faculty.

“I’ve never worked in a place where the climate was so positive, and…I truly love to come to work every day.

Dr. Arnel makes it fun, and he makes everybody, I think, want to do a good job,” DuBois said. “And I knew [his retirement] was coming a little sooner than I hoped it was going to be. I’m very happy for him, but it’s also very sad, and we will all miss him very much.”

With all Dr. Arnel has done in the classroom, and despite his dedication to teaching, most everyone can agree that administration is what suits him best, of all. From former principal Don Muench’s undeniable instincts and Arnel’s proven propensity for administrative work through his support of the student body and his motivation to the staff, Arnel’s shift to administrator may have been unexpected, but it was far from the wrong path for him to take.

“I think having a vision of where we want to go and sometimes that requires us to change and we have to accept that,” Dr. Arnel said. “And sometimes you can really be doing great things in your classroom and letting go of something that you really like is hard to do sometimes.”

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SAYING GOOBYE: Speaking at the Silver Shield Ceremony on March 6, Dr. Sonny Arnel waves to the assembled parents and students in attendance. Photo courtesy of FHC Publications.

discover

“It’s always been a goal to, once we get to Central, play as many sports as possible, get as many achievements as possible, go to state, things like that.”

- junior Tanner Jones

Growing up Spartan Story by Rachel Vrazel Web editor Whether you’re on a team or a student who cheers on the Spartans from the stands, athletics are an essential part of teenage life and a beloved memory for adults looking back on their youth. For some FHC students, involvement in sports even extends to family tradition and a legacy left at the school.

Junior Tanner Jones follows his siblings, Zach Jones, Tucker Jones, and Mackenzie Jones who were all athletes at Central before him. Playing soccer and tennis himself, his siblings were involved in the special olympics, baseball, basketball, swim, soccer, and tennis. Athletics have been important to Tucker’s family since he was young. “[Sports have] always been something I do on the weekends,” Tucker said. “It’s always been a priority and represents how hard we’ve been working on how many goals we achieve athletically.”

As a child, Tucker looked up to his older siblings and awaited the time when he would be able to play as a Spartan Athlete.

“It’s always been a goal to, once we get to Central, play as many sports as possible, get as many achievements as possible, go to state, things like that,” Tucker said.

Junior Macie Ryan, member of the varsity Sensations, also went into high school with high hopes to dance for varsity Sensations. She’d been dancing for years, along with two older sisters before her.

“We’ve all [danced] our whole lives, it’s all we’ve ever been,” Ryan said. “I did competitive dance [from when] I was five until my sophomore year.”

Starting high school, Ryan auditioned and made it to Varsity Sensations with her sister Mackenzie Ryan, who was then a senior. The year was an adjustment for Ryan, who was used to studio dance.

“I was the only freshman there… so it was really good to have my sister. She took me under her wing and helped me transition from studio dance to dance team dance,” Ryan said.

Freshman Keeli Desir, dancer since age 2, is another member of the dance team. Like Tucker and Ryan, Desir’s family influenced her decision to join a team in high school. With her father, Pierre Desir, being an FHC Alum and pro-football player and her mother running a dance studio, athletics have always been a big part of her life.

“My mom is a dance teacher and she danced when she was younger, so I just kind of wanted to be like her,” Desir said. “Since forever, [my dad’s] been playing football, so [FHC] had me really young. I definitely have experienced how [sports] affect the whole family, it really drives everybody.”

While Desir loves sports, she has found that because of her family’s legacy it’s hard to find genuine friends.

Especially in middle school, it was hard to be known as herself and not just as Pierre Desir’s daughter.

“It was really hard to… let people in because I didn’t know who I could trust,” Desir said.

The dance team is where she has finally been able to find authentic friendships. Because of this and her love for dance, Desir hopes that her younger sister will dance for FHC as well.

“I know she’ll be safe and have people to talk to,” Desir said.

Ryan and Tucker hope to see their children become Spartan Athletes also. Tucker wants to pass on the experience and life lessons his teams and family have taught him through sports.

“I definitely want my kids to play sports just to get the same experience as me. I think it’s a good experience for any kid that’s growing up,” Tucker said. “It’s about more than your performance, it’s about working hard and even having fun.”

FLYING HIGH: Performing with the Sensations during halftime of a football game, freshman Keeli Desir flies over a teammate. Photo courtesy of Jack Gamache

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PUMPED UP: Members of the football team lay their eyes on the new weight room for the first time on Sept. 19, 2019. The weight room was renovated by a donation from alum Pierre Desir. Photo by Matthew Schott

State of the art space Story by Reilly Scobey Staff reporter

Over the years Spartan Nation has had some heroes, but football player Pierre Desir has been a shining star among them. Before becoming the star he is today, Desir walked the very same halls as students now.

While a Spartan, Pierre was involved in many sports, but football was his passion. When Desir was just a sophomore, he earned a spot on varsity. It was at this point Desir knew he wanted to play football professionally. In order to do that, he would have to be drafted by the NFL. After high school, Desir began playing football for Washburn University, but eventually transferred to Lindenwood University for his final years of college.

While finishing up playing for Lindenwood in 2014, Desir was drafted to play for the NFL by the Cleveland Browns. Over the years, Desir overcame many obstacles, but without them he wouldn’t be where he is today.

After achieving his biggest dream Desir wanted to pay tribute to the place that supported him, so in 2019 he generously gifted the school with a donation to fund a new state-of-the-art weight room. His hope was to provide FHC with a space students and staff can appreciate for years to come.

“I wanted to give students something to be proud of,” Desir said. “[In addition] I wanted to show appreciation and love for my school, [so] the best way to do that and incorporate sports was to [donate] funds for [a] weight room.”

Desir’s donation has not only allowed students to have access to high quality professional equipment, but has allowed more programs to use the space.

Athletic Director Scott Harris is proud of the inclusiveness the space attracts.

“We have students who take the fitness classes

who may not be on a sports team here, but they have access to the resources here [as well],” Harris said.

Desir’s donation has impacted the way teachers structure their classes. Before, curriculum was very limited, but with a new and improved space they can expand on previous ideals in new and inventive ways.

Weight training teacher Mr. Michael Bunton enjoys the freedom that comes with the new space.

“We’ve been able to expand [upon] the way we used to work kids out,” Bunton said. “We are able to add new [workouts] which gives us a lot of freedom to expand on what we have been doing throughout the years.”

Before the donation, staff were looking towards updating the space, but in order to do so they would need to find ways to raise the money on their own which would have taken time, so with the Desir’s generous donation our athletic department looks forward to using their budget for the future. Mr. Bunton is grateful for the financial relief the donation provided. “[Now] we don’t have to try to raise a whole bunch of money to improve our facilities,” Bunton said.

“Pierre gave us the best equipment we could ever ask for, so it [really] helps our [department’s] budget.”

Since its installment the weight room has brought pride to Spartan Nation, but even Desir couldn’t grasp the level of support his donation has received.

“I have seen so many posts and videos of students embracing and loving the weight room,” Desir said. “[I have] seen a lot of activity from different sports teams and students have messaged me thanking me.”

Even after a couple years Spartan Nation continues to express gratitude towards its donor, but for Desir this donation felt like a necessary step in reforming a community he loves.

“I hope this weight room makes you proud to be a Spartan,” Desir said. “I hope [this] weight room allows you to excel and achieve your goals.”

Hard work has led sports teams to titles Story by Clara Kilen Staff reporter

winning was evinced when he benched one of their star players, alum Ryan Miller, during playoffs when he was late to the game. Coach McAfee was consistent with his The Terry Kasper Athletic Corridor immortalizes the rules and had high expectations for his players. names of record-breaking athletes and accomplished “Mark McAfee was the head coach at the time, and teams throughout Central’s history in photo frames of he had clear rules. I credit him for making one of the smiling faces. Although FHC has seen many amazing hardest calls possible as a head coach” said Le. individuals and teams come “He benched [Miller] for the and go, there have been few CBC match, a decision that I with enough talent and grit feel was key to winning the to earn a spot in the athletic state championship that year. “ hallway as State Champions.

Along with team successes, In 2012, the boys volleyball there have been many team encountered the perfect individuals who have seen storm as their roster piled high great victories during their with remarkable athletes who time as a Spartan. would thrive under the guidance Junior Xime Avila has made of Coach Mark McAfee and a splash as she has broken four Coach Steven Le. This incredible school swimming records and team was able to make their has been named All-State in mark in FHC’s athletic history the 500 free her freshman and as they were crowned state junior year. champions after making an “I think the [accomplishment] amazing comeback from 10-17 to I am the proudest of is 25-22 against SLUH. definitely [breaking the school PUMPED UP: Chip Miller and Jack Gamache celebrate Coach Le was assistant coach a point during the 2012 state title game, where the record for] 500 free just boys volleyball team won the school’s first state in 2012 during this incredible because it had been standing championship. Photo courtesy of Jack Gamache feat, accompanied by head the longest and it was the first coach McAfee. He recalls the [record] I ever broke in high high-strung final moments school, so there’s just a lot of of the championship and a smart move made by team different emotions surrounding it,” Avila said. captain, alum Jack Gamache, that would secure the win.

“In season I [swim] for my club team from 5-7 pm “[Gamache] was tripled-blocked, and instead of every night. Then I would go do my homework or study ripping it into the block, he made a perfect tip that took and eat dinner in the library and go back to the pool for the SLUH defense by surprise and landed untouched,” high school practice from 8:30-10 pm,” Avila said.

Coach Le said.

Looking at the State Championships wall, math This victory was not only due to the talented athletes, teacher Michelle Getz and her 2016 state champion but dedicated coaches. Coach Le gives credit to Hall of Fame cheer team can be seen smiling proudly with their Head Coach McAfee for developing skilled athletes and plaque in hand. Just as in Avila’s case, this victory did not valuing improvement more than the outcome of a game. come without hard work, as well as a dedicated team and “McAfee guided the program for many years and made talented coaches. many difficult decisions, always putting the players’ “We practiced Monday through Thursday every week development as people ahead of winning,” Coach Le said. during the summer and multiple practices a week during This ideology of prioritizing development over the school year,” Getz said.

page by Matthew Schott

HOTor

NOT

What’s in and what’s out

WELL DONE

Anything but a backpack day for Senior Dress Up Week Painting ceiling tiles for favorite teachers First prom since the pandemic

NOT DONE ENOUGH Geoguessr Bowling on Friday nights Grout fits Smoothie King Wednesdays

Alumni Molly Ray, Lizi Lucas, Amanda Kenny and Jennifer Deis stand smiling in front of the school lockers in a photo that dates back to the early 2000’s. The return of low-waisted jeans, baby-tees, flared pants, and other early 2000’s staples represent the full rotation of trends in fashion. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Deis

that were What’s OLD is Styles popular in 1997 are NEW again becoming hot now Story By Megan Murray Staff Reporter Every morning the first thing students do is wake up and get dressed. Some pick out an outfit, others wear the same thing they woke up in. In 1997 when Howell Central first opened teenagers were wearing everything from choker necklaces to go-go boots. It was the time of Alicia Silverstone, Gwen Stafani, and Brad Pitt. These icons set the stage for what teens were wearing. Aside from these celebrities, adolescents were wearing popular brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Jnco, Nautica, and Abercrombie.

Spartans’ outfits were not only inspired by celebrities but also by music. Ms. Grace Clifford, a former FACS and fashion design teacher at FHC said the worst fashion trend she endured were rat tails, a haircut in which one would have a shaved head with a “tail” of long hair in the back.

“They just looked so bad,” Ms. Clifford said.

Ms. Clifford also partook in the wearing of capris and crocs, a common fashion staple at the time, finding that “they were the most comfortable footwear for [her] days in the food lab”. These Spartans also endured the makeup trends of frosted lips, grungy eyeliner, matte brown lips, and body shimmer. Students were also making extra long keychains in a 2000’s yearbook saying “Finding keys in your bookbag has never been easier!” This was also the time of

pagers and their version of cellular phones. These were once a normal part of daily life, now it’s just a sign of the times.

Spartans today have been wearing more gender-neutral fashion as well as Doc Martens, Crocs, and mom jeans. We have seen a resurgence of styles popular when FHC first

opened. For example, Y2K fashion has been on the rise again with teens wearing baby tees, butterfly clips, plaid skirts, and bandanas. Today’s biggest fashion icons are Harry Styles, Zendaya, and Lil Nas X. Students wish to be as

DONE WITH IT

Snow days stretching the school year to June Senior Sundays Aggressive fake tan Inability to do basic zipper etiquette in the school parking lot

well dressed as these celebrities and a few Spartans are.

One of Central’s best-dressed students, sophomore Emme Bernard gives the rundown of how she picks out her outfits.

“I [pick] one piece out that I want to wear that day and the rest just falls into place,” Bernard said. “[I use pinterest to make a] virtual closet to help me achieve my dream closet in real life”.

These current-day Spartans enjoy wearing smokey eyes, sky-high lashes, with technicolor eyelids. Makeup being inspired by Kim Kardashian, James Charles, and Jaclyn Hill.

Bernard enjoys seeing everyone’s unique makeup looks, but she prefers a simpler look for herself.

“I prefer to keep my makeup looking natural,” Bernard said.

Every high schooler’s experience is different, from each Spartan’s classes to the people they surround themselves with. As years go by, these experiences get more and more different but a few things never change.

Each student here at FHC uses fashion to express themselves in a unique way. 25 years ago students were encouraged to convey their emotions and style through fashion. Today, while students are loosely restricted, they are still encouraged to use clothes as form of selfexpression.

SPARTAN CROSSWORD PUZZLE Test your knowledge on FHC-themed trivia

page by Matthew Schott

ACROSS

4. The official name of the yearbook.

6. The theme of this year’s prom.

8. What is the name of our theatre troupe?

12. What is our school’s mascot?

13. What college does Dr. Arnel frequently dress for? (extra hint he sometimes wears a tiger’s tail) 14. This famous football player donated an improved weight room to FHC. 15. What is our mascot?

16. Who is the football stadium named after?

DOWN

1. What is Dr. Arnel’s legal first name?

2. What days are seminar days?

3. The instrument used for morning announcements?

5. The name of the main character in the spring musical.

7. The last name of the college counselor.

9. Last name of the school’s resource officer.

10. Who sells the cookies?

11. What is our unofficial third school color?

discover

7

FHCToday and Yesterday Looking back through FHC Publications history Pubs Prowess

2004

The Evolution of the Nameplate

2010

This cover story focused on a member of FHC Publications who had a cyst in her brain and this was a series of stories we did on her journey. She also wrote a blog for us as her work for being on staff. During her year on staff, Amanda Pelletier actually never came to class in Room 139 due to the issues the cyst caused.

Getting to 95

One of our first really effective visual covers.

About 10 years ago, the district wound up having to cut a bunch of jobs and this was our look at how they cut people and how it affected FHC.

Pacemaker Winners Online: 2016, 2011

2012

Pacemaker finalists Yearbook, 2014 Newspaper: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2013,

2014

Best of Show 2019: FHCToday, Second place 2018: Central Focus, Third place 2015: Central Focus, Ninth place 2015: FHCToday, Ninth place 2011: Central Focus, Eighth place 2011: FHCtoday.com, Second place

2018

2020

Our Ides of March Revisiting the last day of normalcy

March 12, 2020 was a normal school day sprinkled with a buzz of excitement as whispers of an extended spring break danced throughout the halls. Debates ensued about if school would come to a halt or if spring break would pass and we would once again be back under the tiled ceilings. This was a notable day due to its unremarkable characteristics; normalcy would soon be forgotten.

The weeks preceding our last day of school before spring break 2020 featured talk of a new virus that was running rampant in China. I recall having several conversations in my math class where the students and teacher went back and forth on whether they thought that our lives would soon change; I was unfortunately on the wrong side of this discourse. School had never shut down for an extended period of time that I knew of, so I figured that this wouldn’t change.

The details of this day were forgettable and I can’t recall anything of significance because it was an average day for me: I woke up, went to school, and went to lacrosse practice to prepare for the jamboree the following day. Looking back on this day provokes an eerie feeling because I was so ignorant and this bliss would soon vanish.

For schools around the country their last day was March 13, 2020 and this caused an uproar on social media because it was Friday the 13th. Although I didn’t experience anything out of the ordinary on this date, I watched countless TikToks noting the strange feelings surrounding their last day before “COVID break.” They claimed to have felt uneasy and as if there was a dark cloud looming above them.

March 12 marked the end of an era. The era of carefree life where you could go anywhere and do anything without fear of endangering yours or other’s health. It

MAKING THE MOST: A student stands at their window with gloved hands forming a heart. This picture taken at the beginning of quarantine in April 2020 represents the way many people tried to take the bad hand delt to them and make it better. Photo by Hannah Bernard

also marked the beginning of an era filled with online assignments, zoom calls, and socially distanced events.

For me, quarantine had a positive impact on my social life, personal life, and health. No longer were my days spent at a wooden desk nor my nights filled with homework. My identity shifted from being a student to being an individual with more free time than I could have ever imagined.

I have often placed my self worth on how I performed academically, but with my workload reduced to one assignment per week, per class, I began to look elsewhere to fill the new void in my life. I found new hobbies such as crocheting, running, cooking, and spending time with my family. The most unexpected thing to come out of social distancing was a tight knit friend group that I facetimed day and night to alleviate boredom. Quarantine gave me a plethora of time that I was able to dedicate to bettering myself and my relationships.

The return back to school in fall of 2020 was difficult because I was forced to give up the free time I had learned to love and I was once again back in the classroom. I was glad to be back with my peers and to not be behind a screen, but I still mourned what felt like an endless summer.

I wish I could remember the details of life prior to 2020, but I have grown accustomed to life amidst a pandemic and the idea of normalcy has shifted.

Looking Forward

Appreciating FHC’s past means remembering to embrace the future

A SILVER LINING: Dr. Sonny Arnel sits during a standing ovation for him at the Silver Shield ceremony. His departure from the school as head principal is going to be a large transition for Spartan Nation, but it’s nothing we can’t handle. Photo by Matthew Schott

voice

Bridging the virtual divide (photo above)

This project gave me life during the first pandemic school year. It took a minute for the photographers to buy into it, but they captured some amazing images and told a great story of the teachers in our building last year who taught virtual classes.

Car-tastrophe

How could you not remember seeing an SUV planted in the main entrance to your school? I remember seeing the curious text message about a facility issue early in the morning, then learning what it was. Then actually being allowed in to walk in and photograph the wreckage. Surreal doesn’t do justice to describing this scene. This was a great example of the staff doing amazing coverage in all our media. We had stories and photo galleries up about two hours after learning of the event and the newspaper staff was able to add it into an edition of the paper that had previously almost been complete.

Phillip Vinnedge’s funeral

By Clara Kilen Staff Reporter

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Our adviser Mr. Matthew Schott runs through his favorite cover stories over his years of running publications.

A Light in the Dark

Honors for FHC Publications 2013: Kelci Davis, runner-up National Student Journalist of the Year 2013: Kelci Davis, Missouri Student Journalist of the Year

2006

SCHOTT TAKES

This wasn’t a cover story printed in the paper, I don’t think, but done almost wholly online. Seeing the procession move through Cottleville, than the school parking lot and then off to Church of the Shepard and then, finally, to Jefferson Barracks was as moving and as solemn as you’d expect. Looking through the photography from that day was one of the hardest things I’ve done as a teacher, but I don’t know that I’ve ever been prouder of the work my students did that day.

The Bully Issue

One of my favorite covers for the strength of the fist in the illustration, but this cover also represents the strengths of our students and their bravery for sharing some of the truly awful things people had said to them during their lives. There are lots of notsafe-for-school words on this cover, but the editors were able to convince Dr. Arnel to print them largely unedited because they helped make the reasoning behind covering these stories even stronger.

Sad turn of events

This was the first major news story that happened during my teaching career. Threats were discovered in a couple of bathrooms, leading to a full search of the school. Every room, locker, cabinet, you name it, was searched by building and district administration.

Unpacking

I wasn’t excited about this pitch. At all. But the editors and staff were. And they absolutely crushed it. This was some of the best reporting we’ve done in years and it was on a story that pretty often slips through the cracks, mostly because people like me don’t pay enough attention to it. A lesson learned.

25 years have come and gone, class after class has graduated with Francis Howell Central on their diploma, teachers have been hired and they’ve also retired, and Spartan Nation has continued to grow.

Looking back we can appreciate the strides our school has taken and the extent to which it has evolved.

However, when we look forward that same evolution looks daunting and scary.

With the retirement of Dr. Sonny Arnel as well as superintendent Dr. Nathan Hoven there will be a monumental shift in leadership in the coming years. While both have interims set to take their place who are sure to do an incredible job taking over for them, change is scary, the unknown is intimidating.

At FHC, we are used to change.

Flipping through old copies of the Central Focus only exemplifies this.

We have watched fashion trends fall in and out of style. Watched

new classes be formed and others eliminated. New staff. New sports.

New classes of Spartans. We’ve survived countless roadblocks and yet Spartan Nation never wavered.

It is natural to fear the unknown, but we have no reason to worry. Just as we have adapted to possibly the biggest challenge ever thrown at FHC, the next Spartans will too. They will walk the same halls as us. Sit at the same tables. And chant the same chants. A piece of everything we have done here will live on in them. We may leave FHC, but FHC will never leave us.

To better serve us and all future Spartans, we must embrace change.

We cannot settle for doing things the way they’ve always been done. As we look to the future we may not know what’s to come, but what we do know is that Spartan Nation will continue to live on.

page by Tea Perez and Emily Sirtak